Signal.



G. G. MALLOY.

SIGNAL. vAPPLIOATION FILED OUT. 16, 1907.

' 908,291 I Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

mm ili' WITNESSES Oj u I INVENTOR 62017296 (7.1125520;

MWZQ A 7TORNE YS CHARLES CLARK MALLOY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 1908.

Application filed October 16, 1907. Serial No. 397,661.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLns CLARK MAL- LOY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Los Angeles, in the county of Les Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and improved Signal, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descript-ion.

This invention relates to signals, and more, particularly signals used 1n connection with table service, for calling attendants, and for similar purposes.

An object of the invention is to provide simple, strong and inexpensive signal which can be easily operated, and which provides means for calling the attention of servants, waiters and attendants.

A further object of the nvention is to provide a device of the class described, having a target which is easily visible, which can be projected into an operative position, and which can be concealed by a suitable screen or guard when the signal is not in use.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views, and in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section showin my device with the target concealed; Fig. is an enlarged plan view of the signal; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a detail of modified form; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the same detail of a further modified form.

Before proceeding to a more detailed ex planation of my invention it should be noted that while the same is particularly useful in connection with table service, for calling the attention of the waiter to the fact that his services are necessary, it is equally applicable to other purposes; for instance, in a sickroom where it is useful for signaling the nurse or other attendant. used in public vehicles and the like.

The patrons of hotels or restaurants often find it a source of inconvenience that the attention of the waiters or servants cannot be attracted without making a noise. My signal provides simple means for informing the attendants that their services are required, while at the same time it in no way interferes with the artistic arrangement of the table The device can also be furniture, and, in fact, can be so constructed that it becomes an ornament to the table.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings, i provide a standard 1 having a base 2 and a substantially upright post 3. Around the bottom of the post the base is provided with an annular groove 4.- for a purpose which will appearhereinafter. The base 2 of the standard is sufficiently wide to pro vide a stable support for the device. A hollow member 5, preferably cylindrical in form, with the upper end 6 closed, is slidably mounted upon the post 3. A helical spring 7 is arranged within the hollow mem ber between the closed end 6 and the top of the post, and tends normally to project the member longitudinally of the post in an upward direction. A hollow casing 8 preferably cylindrical in form is arranged about the post with the lower end in the annular recess 4 of the standard. At one side, the casing 8 is provided with a slot 9 in which is located a screw 10 mounted upon the standard. The screw 10 permits the movement of the casing 8 longitudinally of the post but limits this movement to a distance equal to the length of the slot 9.

The hollow member 5 near the lower end has an annular bead 11 formed therein, which extends outwardly from the wall of the member. The casing 8 has near the lower end an inwardly disposed annular bead 12 arranged to engage the bead 11, for a purpose which will appear hereinafter. At the upper end of the casing 8 is a cap 13 upon which is mounted a target screen or guard it. A red 15 having the lower end threaded and mounted in a suitably threaded opening of the end 6 of the hollow member 5 extends through an opening in the cap 13 and carries at the upper end a target 16. in the form shown in 1, the target 16 consists of a plurality of wings 17 forming an X, and if so desired, brightly colored or otherwise decorated. The screen or guard 14 is shaped to conform to the target 16 and has separated walls between which the target wings can enter. At the end of the rod 15 is a knob 18 by means of which the device can be conveniently operated.

hen in a depressed position, the bead 11 of the hollow member 5 is arranged underneath the bead 12 of the casing S, and thereby the hollow member is held in the depressed position with the target 16 within the screen 14 in this way the target is concealed from view. When it is desired to project the target the casing 8 is forced downward so that the bead 12 passes above the head 11, thereby freeing the member 5 and permitting the spring to project the target into view. The member 5 is held against downward movement by a shoulder 3 formed upon the standard post 3. At the same time, when the member 5 is projected it engages the under side of the cap 13 and raises the casing 8 to its elevated position as is shown most clearly in Fig. 1. When it is desired to conceal the target it is merely necessary to press upon the knob 18, forcing the target into the screen; this operation compresses the spring 7 and forces the bead 11 of the member 5 underneath the bead 12 ofthe casing, and thereby the member 5 is held in the depressed. position.

It will be understood that the target 16 may be of any convenient form or color; for instance, it may consist of a disk 19 as is shown in 3, in which case the screen or guard is a circular casing or box 20. Again, the target may consist of a block 21 concealed when inoperative, by means of a suitably formed rectangular boX or casing 22.

If so desired, a spring 4 preferably of helical form may be placed in the annular groove 4 and serve resiliently to hold the hollow casing 8 in an elevated position. The s ring 4 resists a downward movement of t e casing 8 and thereby insures the passing of the bead 11 into a position below the bead 12 when the hollow member 5 is pressed downward to the position shown in Fig. 1.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A signal, comprising relatively movable members one within the other, one of said members having a target, the other of said members having a target screen, means for projecting said target beyond said screen, said members having parts adapted to engage whereby said members are held relatively fixed to conceal said target, said members being released when said part of one is forced beyond said part of the other, said part of said one member engaging said part of said other member to return said other member to the fixed position when said first member is operated to return said target to said screen.

2. A signal, comprising relatively movable members one within the other, said inner members having a target, said outer memj bers being formed to conceal said target, means for actuating one of said members to project said target, means for limiting the projection of said target, said members having projections adapted to engage whereby said members are held relatively fixed to conceal said target, said members being re leased when said projection of one is forced beyond said projection of the other, said projection of said inner member engaging said projection of said outer member to return said outer member to the fixed position when said inner member is depressed to return said target to a concealed position.

3. A signal, comprising relatively movable members one within the other, one of said members having a target, the other of said members having a target screen, and resilient means for actuating the inner of said members, to separate said target and said screen, said members having projections adapted operatively to engage whereby said members are held relatively fixed and said target is concealed, said members being released when the outer one of the same is moved longitudinally of the inner, said inner member engaging said outer member when the inner member is actuated by said actuating means, thereby returning said outer member to its normal position.

4. A signal, comprising a standard having a post presenting a shoulder, a hollow member having a closed end and slidably mounted upon said post, a spring within said member between said closed end and the top of said post and serving to project said member, a movable casing around said member and slidably mounted upon said standard, a target mounted upon said rod, and a target screen carried by said casing, said member and said casing having projections adapted operatively to engage to hold said target within said screen, said member and said casing being released by forcing said casing longitudinally of said member, said standard serving to limit the movement of said member, said standard having means for limiting the movement of said casing.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES CLARK MALLOY.

Witnesses:

Tnos. E. HUDSON, E. Lois BoUonER. 

